Reality Check....

[RBTremor]

Hey Guys, Gals,
I am finally in possession of my 2021 Tremor. (LOVE IT) Now I am looking at Travel Trailers and found a couple I like, The one I really like may be pushing the specs a little tight. Wondering if you folks towing out there can give me a "You should be Fine" or a "you crazy man" opinion.

Im looking at a Jayco Jay Feather Micro 199MBS...
Length 23'2" Overall
Weight UVW 4660lbs
Weight GVWR 5750lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 660lbs

My biggest concern I think is the hitch weight being close to max. Once Propane is filled and add battery it will likely be close to 700.
Will the use of a weight distribution hitch help offset this or am I just pushing to close to the limits?
I dont want to be driving down the road with my bumper dragging and I dont want to be dangerous.

The other Trailer is 3930lbs Dry-4995GVWR and 395 hitch weight but 3 feet shorter. The bigger will really be best for my family but looking for some advise from Ranger towers out there. I live in MI and would likely be traveling from MI to FL (So some mountains) and East Coast.

Thanks in advance.

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[Grumpaw]

Hey Guys, Gals,
I am finally in possession of my 2021 Tremor. (LOVE IT) Now I am looking at Travel Trailers and found a couple I like, The one I really like may be pushing the specs a little tight. Wondering if you folks towing out there can give me a "You should be Fine" or a "you crazy man" opinion.

Im looking at a Jayco Jay Feather Micro 199MBS...
Length 23'2" Overall
Weight UVW 4660lbs
Weight GVWR 5750lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 660lbs

My biggest concern I think is the hitch weight being close to max. Once Propane is filled and add battery it will likely be close to 700.
Will the use of a weight distribution hitch help offset this or am I just pushing to close to the limits?
I dont want to be driving down the road with my bumper dragging and I dont want to be dangerous.

The other Trailer is 3930lbs Dry-4995GVWR and 395 hitch weight but 3 feet shorter. The bigger will really be best for my family but looking for some advise from Ranger towers out there. I live in MI and would likely be traveling from MI to FL (So some mountains) and East Coast.

Thanks in advance.

Your going to get a lot of discussion on your picks, especially the first. Jay Feather.
First, no matter which one, you need a weight distributing hitch. It is the only safe way to tow a travel trailer in the size range your looking at.
Second, check the towing section as to what members are towing and the positive/negative comments posted.
Wife and I have a Jayco Jay Feather 24RL on order, now due in sometime January. A bit heavier and longer than your pick, but I am fully confident in the Rangers ability to tow it, safely.
With the hitch, you should go with the stouter 1000 tongue/10,000 tow set up...better to be over what you need, as yes, once you start loading the tongue weight will go up a bit. Check the Jayco series your looking at for the front coupler, whether it's a standard or under-slung...different hitch needed for the 2 types..
In the tow section you will find members towing larger rigs, and those who advise against going anywhere near the max weight limit...it's up to you and your confidence level as to your pick.
Lots of posts about just the questions your asking.
Very long time RV'r here...PM me if you want to talk info.

 

[AzScorpion]

Hey Guys, Gals,
I am finally in possession of my 2021 Tremor. (LOVE IT) Now I am looking at Travel Trailers and found a couple I like, The one I really like may be pushing the specs a little tight. Wondering if you folks towing out there can give me a "You should be Fine" or a "you crazy man" opinion.

Im looking at a Jayco Jay Feather Micro 199MBS...
Length 23'2" Overall
Weight UVW 4660lbs
Weight GVWR 5750lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 660lbs

My biggest concern I think is the hitch weight being close to max. Once Propane is filled and add battery it will likely be close to 700.
Will the use of a weight distribution hitch help offset this or am I just pushing to close to the limits?
I dont want to be driving down the road with my bumper dragging and I dont want to be dangerous.

The other Trailer is 3930lbs Dry-4995GVWR and 395 hitch weight but 3 feet shorter. The bigger will really be best for my family but looking for some advise from Ranger towers out there. I live in MI and would likely be traveling from MI to FL (So some mountains) and East Coast.

Thanks in advance.

Congrats on finally getting your Tremor! There are so many towing much bigger and heavier than this one. I would let Steve @Grumpaw chime in as he has been RVing for MANY years and has a new Jayco on order which I believe is larger that the one you're looking at.

Edit: Looks like he types faster than I do. lol

 

[Peragrin]

Your are correct the hitch weight is your biggest issue. I have a rockwood roo 233s​

length 29.5"​

uuv weight of 4600​

Gross weight 6100​

hitch weight 460 pounds. (plus WDH and I am close to 660 hitch weight fully loaded)​

​

Your biggest issue is going to be hitch weight, which doesn't change with a WDH setup.​

​

Go slightly bigger setup with dual axles. That should fix your hitch weight issue.​

 

[JesseS]

Ditto on hitch weight, either find a double axle rig you like or get a hitch scale and trial load the back of the trailer to adjust the weight as much as you can. I have been RV'ing for 15 years and have seen just about every configuration you can imagine, some just scare me.

 

[Grumpaw]

Your are correct the hitch weight is your biggest issue. I have a rockwood roo 233s​

length 29.5"​

uuv weight of 4600​

Gross weight 6100​

hitch weight 460 pounds. (plus WDH and I am close to 660 hitch weight fully loaded)​

​

Your biggest issue is going to be hitch weight, which doesn't change with a WDH setup.​

​

Go slightly bigger setup with dual axles. That should fix your hitch weight issue.​

Yeah, the one thing I didn't realize was the single axle on that Jayco, and the weight is probably pushing that single axle to the limit....totally agree on going to a 2 axle rig, even if bigger. Much easier to distribute weight with a 2 axle, much more stable also.

 

[RBTremor]

Your going to get a lot of discussion on your picks, especially the first. Jay Feather.
First, no matter which one, you need a weight distributing hitch. It is the only safe way to tow a travel trailer in the size range your looking at.
Second, check the towing section as to what members are towing and the positive/negative comments posted.
Wife and I have a Jayco Jay Feather 24RL on order, now due in sometime January. A bit heavier and longer than your pick, but I am fully confident in the Rangers ability to tow it, safely.
With the hitch, you should go with the stouter 1000 tongue/10,000 tow set up...better to be over what you need, as yes, once you start loading the tongue weight will go up a bit. Check the Jayco series your looking at for the front coupler, whether it's a standard or under-slung...different hitch needed for the 2 types..
In the tow section you will find members towing larger rigs, and those who advise against going anywhere near the max weight limit...it's up to you and your confidence level as to your pick.
Lots of posts about just the questions your asking.
Very long time RV'r here...PM me if you want to talk info.

Thanks for the feedback. I have been RVing for many years too. The only conventional tow I have done at great length is a pop up (and occasional Uhauls/car haulers, etc.) After that I went to fifth wheel and never turned back. Ive owned three 29-33' models all towed with F150s. So much better than conventional tow. I am very confident in my abilities as I have tens of thousands of miles towing. It Looks like from the comments though, that I might be best to go with the smaller unit or a double axle or at least find one with a lighter hitch weight 400-450. I will take your advise either way and over size the WDH. I am a little hesitant to go double axle since my intent is to find a unit with solar so I can do some boondocking and offgrid camping. Most double axle units dont seem to be set up for that. I appreciate all of the responses. Ill keep you posted on my decisions. Hope you get your Jayco as planned and enjoy it!!

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks for the feedback. I have been RVing for many years too. The only conventional tow I have done at great length is a pop up (and occasional Uhauls/car haulers, etc.) After that I went to fifth wheel and never turned back. Ive owned three 29-33' models all towed with F150s. So much better than conventional tow. I am very confident in my abilities as I have tens of thousands of miles towing. It Looks like from the comments though, that I might be best to go with the smaller unit or a double axle or at least find one with a lighter hitch weight 400-450. I will take your advise either way and over size the WDH. I am a little hesitant to go double axle since my intent is to find a unit with solar so I can do some boondocking and offgrid camping. Most double axle units dont seem to be set up for that. I appreciate all of the responses. Ill keep you posted on my decisions. Hope you get your Jayco as planned and enjoy it!!

Take a look at Rockwood, most are coming from the factory already set up with solar and room to expand to two panels. These are the two I was looking at the 2205S being my first choice. There's another member here who has this setup and says it tows perfect. I have a couple good Youtube videos on these if you're interested let me know and I'll send them to you.


https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/rockwood-mini-lite/2205S/5173

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/rockwood-mini-lite/2109S/908

 

[Grumpaw]

Thanks for the feedback. I have been RVing for many years too. The only conventional tow I have done at great length is a pop up (and occasional Uhauls/car haulers, etc.) After that I went to fifth wheel and never turned back. Ive owned three 29-33' models all towed with F150s. So much better than conventional tow. I am very confident in my abilities as I have tens of thousands of miles towing. It Looks like from the comments though, that I might be best to go with the smaller unit or a double axle or at least find one with a lighter hitch weight 400-450. I will take your advise either way and over size the WDH. I am a little hesitant to go double axle since my intent is to find a unit with solar so I can do some boondocking and offgrid camping. Most double axle units dont seem to be set up for that. I appreciate all of the responses. Ill keep you posted on my decisions. Hope you get your Jayco as planned and enjoy it!!

Boondocking you will probably be better off with the single axle and smaller trailer. Didn't realize until someone else posted that the Jayco, as heavy as it is, was only a single axle rig. Only single axle rig I had was in 1971 and it was a 16 footer. 2 axle rigs are much easier to tow, and stable as I'm sure your aware of with your previous 5th wheels.
As far as the hitch go with the rating above what the trailer is supposed to be, ie., if it's a 500 lb tongue, go with a 750 or near that. One I'm buying has a dry rating of 650, but loaded will probably be around the max 750, so I'm going with a 1000 set up.
But search around on the manufacturer sites...there are some that are built with offroad/boondocking in mind.
Keep us informed on your quest...

 

[Frenchy]

Hey Guys, Gals,
I am finally in possession of my 2021 Tremor. (LOVE IT) Now I am looking at Travel Trailers and found a couple I like, The one I really like may be pushing the specs a little tight. Wondering if you folks towing out there can give me a "You should be Fine" or a "you crazy man" opinion.

Im looking at a Jayco Jay Feather Micro 199MBS...
Length 23'2" Overall
Weight UVW 4660lbs
Weight GVWR 5750lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 660lbs

My biggest concern I think is the hitch weight being close to max. Once Propane is filled and add battery it will likely be close to 700.
Will the use of a weight distribution hitch help offset this or am I just pushing to close to the limits?
I dont want to be driving down the road with my bumper dragging and I dont want to be dangerous.

The other Trailer is 3930lbs Dry-4995GVWR and 395 hitch weight but 3 feet shorter. The bigger will really be best for my family but looking for some advise from Ranger towers out there. I live in MI and would likely be traveling from MI to FL (So some mountains) and East Coast.

Thanks in advance.

With those specs you should be fine. If anything get a weight distribution hitch(the right one) and you should be golden. Of course add a brake controller too.

 

[erty176]

Count me into "you crazy man". Besides that no matter what you do, your gonna need either an adjustable or drop hitch when towing with the tremor. Sits up pretty high even when loaded for most trailers.

 

[Grumpaw]

Those of you who are calling "crazy" either forget or weren't around years ago. I had a 1989 Ford F-250 light duty, and pulled a 29 foot Holiday Rambler, weight around 7500 lbs. Towed that trailer all over the country. Truck had the 5.8 and 3speed auto with the od. 200 or so hp, disk front/drum rear.
That truck had less hp, less torque than the Ranger, and weighed just about the same as the Ranger. The Ranger, if you look at some of the specs, are almost the same size and weight as the F-150/F-250 from that time period. Tow ratings were a bit higher, but not by much, and was based on the heavy duty rear end available.
Granted, the Ranger's are not heavy weight's by any measure, but I believe they are fully capable of towing and handling their max ratings.

 

[Danager]

Lots of good advice. It sounds like you could do it. A heavier vehicle with a longer wheelbase is always going to tow it better. But you are within specs, which are within a safety margin already.
The other tricky part with a single axle trailer is weight distribution. You have to work just a bit harder to avoid propoising.

 

[BOB RAD]

Hey Guys, Gals,
I am finally in possession of my 2021 Tremor. (LOVE IT) Now I am looking at Travel Trailers and found a couple I like, The one I really like may be pushing the specs a little tight. Wondering if you folks towing out there can give me a "You should be Fine" or a "you crazy man" opinion.

Im looking at a Jayco Jay Feather Micro 199MBS...
Length 23'2" Overall
Weight UVW 4660lbs
Weight GVWR 5750lbs
Dry Hitch Weight 660lbs

My biggest concern I think is the hitch weight being close to max. Once Propane is filled and add battery it will likely be close to 700.
Will the use of a weight distribution hitch help offset this or am I just pushing to close to the limits?
I dont want to be driving down the road with my bumper dragging and I dont want to be dangerous.

The other Trailer is 3930lbs Dry-4995GVWR and 395 hitch weight but 3 feet shorter. The bigger will really be best for my family but looking for some advise from Ranger towers out there. I live in MI and would likely be traveling from MI to FL (So some mountains) and East Coast.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BOB RAD]

I have a modified and lightened Winnebago Mini Drop that I have weighed at 3200 lbs with a tongue weight of 380 lbs loaded up and ready to go. Was towing with an SUV with a 4400 lb tow and 400 lb tongue capacity. While it towed just fine it always felt like I was on the edge, especially in the mountains. Bought the Ranger and now have no worry’s. I’m sure my Ranger could handle the Jayco weight on the flat but that tongue weight is going to limit what you carry in the bed. I’f I remember right that Murphy bed puts a lot of weight up front, Maybe a different floor plan?

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